SPHENCEACUS GALACTOTES. 



(Taw7iy Grass Bird) 



Forehead and crown, rufous — the remainder of the upper surface pale brown; neck and flanks, tlie same color, blending into buiF on the 

 under tail coverts ; all tbe central portion of the under surface, whitish ; all the feathers of the upper surface marked with blackish brown in 

 the centre, showing very conspicuously on the uppermost tertiaries ; tail, light brown, faintly barred with darker — shafts, black ; irides, light 

 brown ; upper mandible, olive brown, the cutting edges of which are yellowish white ; lower mandible, bluish white ; legs and feet, reddish 

 flesh color. 



Length, 6| inches ; wing, 2\ ; tail, 3^ ; bill, f ; tarsus, |. 



This species is found throughout the whole of Queensland and Northern Australia, being very rare in the northern parts of 

 New South Wales. It frequents grassy situations in the neighborhood of swamps, among the grasses and rseds of which it threads its way 

 with great dexterity. It is seldom seen, as the means of concealment are so easily available. When disturbed, its flight is of short duration, 

 the small wings not sufficing for a long excursion. Its food consists of insects. 



SPHENCEACUS GE.AMINEUS. 



(Little Grass Bird.) 



Stripe over the eye, white ; crown and all the upper surface, light brown ; tail, rufous brown ; secondaries and tertiaries, dark brown, 

 margined with buff; the centre of all the feathers of the back and wing coverts, blackish brown; under surface, grey, passing into black on 

 the flanks and vent ; each feather on the breast with a small line of brown down the centre ; bill and feet, fleshy brown. 



Length, 5| inches ; wing, 2^ ; tail, 2| ; bill, I ; tarsus, f . 



The whole of the southern colonies, including Tasmania, are inhabited by this species, it being as frequent in Western Australia 

 as in New South Wales — specimens from both places exhibiting no difference. The sexes are alike in size and color. Like the former 

 species, this is a very shy and retiring bird, being seldom seen except by the more observing collector. It delights in swampy localities, 

 where, amono- the rank and luxuriant vegetation, it seeks its insect food. Season of incubation, August and September. It builds its nest 

 among the reeds, the same being constructed of the soft flowering portion, or the skin of the stalk of the reeds, and sometimes grasses, but 

 always lined with feathers. Eggs, four ; fleshy white, freckled and streaked with purplish red and blotched with reddish grey. 



ACROCEPHALUS AUSTRALIS. 



(Beed Warbler.) 



All the upper surface, olive brown; wings and tail, brown ; quills, deep bro\^^l, margined with olive buff; all the under surface, deep buff, 

 except the throat, which is white ; bill, horn color above — whitish beneath ; irides, brown. The sexes are alike. 



Length, 6 inches ; wing, 3 ; tail, 3 ; bill, f ; tarsus, 1. 



This beautiful warbler is very common in South-eastern Australia. Wherever there are reeds on the banks of rivers and creeks 

 its voice may be heard, but, as Captain Sturt remarks, " that is silent when these are wanting." On the banks of the Murray and Darling 

 it sint^s during the greater part of the night. It suspends its nest from two or three reeds, about two feet from the surface of the water, the 

 same being composed of the soft skins of reeds and dried rushes. Eggs, four ; greyish white, marked and blotched with brown and grey : 

 size, 10 by 7 lines. 



[OVEB. 



